Communities across northern B.C. are looking toward the future now that the province is moving ahead with its plans to build the Northwest Transmission Line.

Premier Gordon Campbell announced on Sept. 26 the province is taking the crucial first step toward building the power line by committing $10 million to environmental assessments and consultations with First Nations on the project.

Smithers Mayor Jim Davidson said the announcement is great news.

"This is a sign to people with projects that they can keep working on them. Whether you are developing a mineral prospect or whether you are looking at a new green power project, all of these needed transmission lines," Davidson said. "This is the best news that we could receive in a time of a lot of uncertainty. I am very pleased."

The new 287-kilovolt line will extend 335 kilometres from Terrace to Meziadin Junction and north to Bob Quinn Lake. Currently, the electrical power grid along Highway 37 ends at Meziadin Junction to the north and Stewart to the west.

Campbell said in a news release the so-called electrification of Highway 37 would provide electricity to the area, which could generate as much as $15 billion in capital investments from potential projects and an estimated 10,000 new jobs.

Janine North, CEO of the regionally operated economic development corporation Northern Development Initiative Trust, agreed.

"There are 14 projects in the pipeline, key mining projects [and] potential independent power projects that could come to [fruition] as a result of the Northwest Transmission Line," North said.

"Every community in central and northern B.C. can benefit from the eventual construction. This infrastructure, if it goes in, will lower the cost of [doing] business in these communities."

Campbell and North both said the project, if completed, could bring more than 10,000 jobs to northern B.C.

The Northwest Transmission Line was initially put forward in the fall of 2007. It was to be jointly funded by the province and the mining company NovaGold Resources Inc., but the power project was put on hold when the company scrapped its plans for a mine in the area.

Now, the province is seeking another partnership with the private sector to help fund the project, which is estimated to cost approximately $400 million.